Associate Vice President, Philanthropy, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS)

The College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) development team is a strong, high performing, mission driven fundraising enterprise that consistently secures more than $25 million in philanthropic support annually. This dynamic team is composed of skilled, strategic development professionals who advance both college wide priorities, department level initiatives, and support for the Bell Museum. With a proven record of cultivating meaningful donor relationships, the team plays a pivotal role in driving philanthropic investment that fuels the College's academic excellence, research innovation, and student success. Uniquely, the Bell Museum is a department within CFANS and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a partner entity.

Operating within the University of Minnesota Foundation's fundraising model-designed to create and ensure the most gratifying gift experience-the CFANS team embraces a culture of partnership, collaboration, and shared purpose in pursuit of exceptional outcomes for donors, the University, and the broader community.

Position Focus

The Associate Vice President is a senior leader responsible for leading major gifts strategy, cultivating a culture of philanthropy grounded in production, collaboration, innovation, and purpose across the CFANS. Serves as the key connector between the core fundraising team and alumni relations, stewardship, and annual giving. Reports to the Executive Vice President, Development.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising & Donor Engagement (75%)

• Prospect Management: Actively identify and cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of high-potential gift prospects through consistent outreach and relationship building.
• Partner closely with senior leadership and UMF to execute complex, multi-layered solicitation strategies for principal gift donors.
• Serve as the senior philanthropic advisor/thought partner to assigned deans and unit heads, helping translate academic priorities into compelling, fundable initiatives.
• Under the direction of senior leadership, this position will lead the development of blended fundraiser portfolios, breaking down departmental silos to create "big idea" gift opportunities that span the unit and the system.
• Partner with senior leaders and academic leaders to refine their roles as champions of fundraising initiatives, providing the data and strategic framing necessary for their success in donor settings.
• Design and manage the operational framework for unit-specific fundraising initiatives ensuring alignment with University of Minnesota Foundation standards and unit strategic vision.
• Focus on engaging in face-to-face meaningful donor work that advances gift conversations and supports the University of Minnesota, ensuring a gratifying gift experience for all donors.

Major Gift Adjacent Support (5%)

• Act as the primary organizational liaison and bridge to the Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, and Stewardship teams, leading the collaborative effort to ensure engagement activities are tightly aligned with fundraising priorities and major gift focus.
• Facilitate a high level of integration between disparate reporting lines to ensure the University speaks with one voice to its alumni and donor base.
• Serve as a strategic lead for execution, coordinating priorities, timelines, and partners to advance fundraising initiatives

• Ensure that alumni relations and annual giving teams are executing programs consistent with building donor pipelines

Team & Talent Development (15%)

• Build and lead a high-performing team by aligning individual performance with the Foundation's strategic priorities.
• Direct unit operations and resource allocation to ensure maximum efficiency and the successful execution of fundraising initiatives.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and integration of top-tier development talent, fostering a diverse and inclusive professional environment.
• Actively coach and mentor staff, using data-driven performance metrics to identify and fuel growth opportunities.
• Ensure a safe, healthy, and policy-compliant work environment that upholds the reputation of the University and UMF.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Demonstrate commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment (exhibit 100% of the time)

PERFORMANCE METRICS: UMFway Guidelines FY27

Required:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 14 years of fundraising or related experience.
• Ability to lead with an entrepreneurial spirit, constantly pursuing solutions and effective/efficient enhancements.
• Skills in high-standard accountability paired with empathetic mentorship
• Deep understanding of goal-setting frameworks and performance metrics.
• Ability to maintain a growth mindset in all deliverables.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends. Ability to maintain a valid Minnesota driver's license.

Preferred:

• 16 or more years of fundraising experience.
• Experience in higher education advancement and nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven success in donor cultivation and donor management systems.

At the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF), our mission is to connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity, and support greatness at the University of Minnesota by placing donors at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. UMF is a nonprofit organization responsible for raising and managing gifts to the University of Minnesota.

For more information about UMF, please visit https://give.umn.edu/about/about-umf.

Pay Range: $200,000- 230,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.